Flexible track for track-laying vehicles



2 Sheets-Sheet. l

H. A. KNOX ET AL FLEXIBLE TRACK FOR TRACK LAYING VEHICLES Filed Oct. 9, 1924 Aug. 14, 1928,

Aug. 14, 192s.

H. A. KNOX ET' AL FLEXIBLE TRACK FOR TRACK LAYIG VEHICLES Filed 0013. 9, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .IJU-

E :jvwmdow Hart' A -Knox Erert'le I". Baker' Wmyff atto@ nu, I

Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY A. KNOX AND BERTIE F. BAKER, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

FLEXIBLE TRACK FOR TRACK-LAYING VEHICLES.

Application filed October 9, 1924. Serial No. 742,670.

(GRANTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS 0F THE ACT 0F MARCH 3, 1883, 22 STAT. L., 625.)

The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

The principal subject of this invention is a flexible track for track laying vehicles.

With the advent of laterally flexible suspensions in vehicles of the track laying type, it becomes necessary to provide laterally flexible endless tracks; which may be laid in a Curve when the vehicle is making a turn.

The universal flexibility obtained by the use of a ball and socket connection between adjacent links possesses inherent disadvantages in that the tendency of each track shoe to axially rotate interferes with the proper laying of the shoe and rail, and causes the driving pins which are fast to the shoe or link to approach the sprocket at an angle so as to impair the proper functioning of the track.

The object of the present invention is to provide an endless universally flexible track in which the links and shoes are separate elements and perform their respective functions independently of each other.

Other objects are to provide novel means for spacing the track shoes; to arrange the driving pins on the chain so that they will remain parallel to the axle of the sprocket; to utilize the driving pins for limiting lateral bending and axial rotation of the shoe sections.

A still further object is to take up the track tension entirely by the link chain so that the swivel action of the shoe sections being independent of the links and bearings; eliminates wear on the bearings and renders unnecessary the provision of an accurate joint between the rail tubes and spacers.

To these and other ends, our invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of elements. described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims form ing a part of this specification.

A practical embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view taken through the tubulin' trackway and showing the link chain elevation;

.F ig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through adjoining track sections;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken through the universal joint;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the track shoe;

Fig. ber;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the same;

Fig. 7 is a detail end view of the spacer;

5 is a side view of the tubular mem- Fig. 8 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the driving pin; and

Fig. 10 is an end view of the same.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference:

In carrying out our invention, the endless track consists of a plurality of track shoe sections 11 strung as it were on a link chain 12 and separated by spacers 13 which constitute a ball joint for the shoe sections and an element of a cross pin universal joint for the links of the chain.

Each track shoe section consists of a grouser 14 preferably formed with interrupted transverse raised portions 15 between which is attached or formed a longitudinally disposed tubular member or sleeve 16 having curvilinear oblique walls 1T formed internally at each orifice for contateing the spherical face of the spacers 13. The tubular members which constitute the trackway forl the supporting rollers of the vehicle are further formed with opposite rimmed recesses 18 for a purpose which will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the spacers 13 are spherical members formed with a large passage 19 and having communicating horizontal and vertical bores for the reception of a cross (Fig, 3) including` pins 20 and 21 which through the biturcated ends 22 of links l2 to constitute a universal joint therefor.

The link chain 12 carries transverse driving pins 23 preferably formed as extensions on the horizontal pin :20 of the universal joint. The driving pins project beyond the spacer and are disposed through the recesses 18 of adjacent tubular members 16 for the titl l OO

'lll

purpose of limiting swivelling action ol said tubular members. The depth ot the recess 18 regulates the degree of lateral flexibility ot the tubular members and may be varied as desired. This limitation of movement ot the tubular members renders it impossible for them to turn to such angles relative to the link chain as to interfere with the proper functioning et the track.

The foregoing method oi utilizing a link chain in a. tubular traekway affords an excellent medium to provide tor simple and positive lubrication as both the trackway and hollow links may be made to each torni a continuous passage in which oil may be circulated through the entire track.

The extensions 23 on the pin 20 may be drilled as at 2li, the openings closed by removable plugs Q5, lor the purpose ot admitting a` lubricant to the links of the chain. lt desired, it Will only be necessary to form such an entry in one ot the driviiig pins, the lubricant being circulated through the chain through passages 26 disposed longitudinally in the pin '20 Within the spacer. The individual links ot the chain are formed with an oil chamber Q7 having ducts Q8 leading to the bearings.

T he vertical pin E21 which passes through the pin 2i) and constitutes an assembling pin, held against removal by a cotter Q9, is formed with rounded ends to conform to the spherical contour of the spacer.

In lubricating the track a light oil may be used in the link chain and a heavy oil in the tubular trackway. For the purpose of preventing leakage'from the outer oil passage there may be provided annular members 30 having suitable packing rings and the members within each section held in place against the spacers by a single spring 31.

While in the foregoing there has been illustrated and described Such combination and arrangement ot elements constitute the preferred embodiment ot our invention, it nevertheless desired to emphasize the fact that interpretation of the invention should only be made in the light of the subjoined claims.

lVe claim:

l. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a sectional tubular track- Way, each section formed With opposite rimmed slots, a shoe secured to each section, spacers forming a ball joint with adjacent sections, a link chain Within the trackvvay, cross pins carried by said spacer tor universally connecting adjoining links, one of said pins projecting from opposite sides of the spacer to constitute driving pins for the track. sail driving pin cooperating with the slots in the tubular sections for limiting lateral bending and axial rotation of said tubular sections.

2. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a sectional tubular trackway, a shoe secured to each section, spacers forming a ball joint with adjacent sections, a link chain Within the trackway, cross pins carried by said spacers for universally connet-ting adjoining links, one of said pins projecting from opposite sides of the spacers to constitute driving pins ttor the track, and said driving pins adapted to regulate Inoveinent of the tubular sections.

An endless track for track layingvehicles embodying a sectional tubular track- Way, a shoe secured to each section, spacers forming a ball joint with adjacent sections, a link chain Within the tubular trackway, cross pins carried by said spacer for universally' connecting adjoining links, one of said pins projecting from opposite sides of the spacer to constitute driving pins for the track, and said tubular section formed to cooperate with the driving pins for limiting movement of the sections.

el. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a sectional tubular track- Way, a shoe secured to each section, spacers forming a ball joint with adjacent sections, a link chain within the tubular trackway, cross pins carried by said spacer for universally connecting adjoining links, one of said pins projecting from opposite sides of the spacer to constitute driving pins for the track.

5. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a link chain, a plurality ot independent tubular members in sequence on said chain, a shoe on each tubular member7 spherical spacers on the chain for separating adjacent tubular members, driving pins carried by each spacer, and means for limiting movement ot' the tubular niembers.

6. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a link chain, a plurality of independent tubular members in sequence on said chain, a shoe on each tubular member, spherical spacers on the chain for separating adjacent tubular members, and driving pins carried by each spacer.

7. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a link chain, a plurality of independent tubular members in sequence on said chain, a shoe on each tubular member, and means carried by the -chain whereby the track is driven.

8. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a link chain, a plurality of independent tubular members in sequence on said chain, a shoe on each tubular member, means for spacing the members, and driving pins carried by the chain independently of the tubular members.

O. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a link chain, universal connections between adjoining links, track shoes having a hollow sectional trackway, each l lll) Ilo lib)

section enclosing a link of the chain, and means for spacing adjacent track shoes.

10. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a link chain, universal connections between adjoining links, and track shoes having a hollow sectional trackway, each section enclosing a link of the chain.

11. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying a plurality of sections, universal connections between adjacent sections, and driving pins carried by said connections independently of said sections.

12. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying shoes having a hollow sectional trackway, an endless member passing through the hollow sections, means carried by said endless member for spacing the shoes, and driving pins carried by said spacing means.

13. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying shoes having a hollow sectional trackway, an endless member passing through the hollow sections, and means carried by said endless member for spacing the shoes.

14. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying an endless chain, track members on said chain and independently movable with respect thereto, means for spacing the members, and means carried by the chain whereby the track is driven.

15. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying an endless chain, track members on said chain and independently movable with respect thereto, and means for spacing the members.

16. A track for track laying vehicles embodying a sectional tubular trackway, each section having a shoe, an endless link chain within the trackway, and a universal connection between adjoining links, said connection including an element forming a ball joint with adjacent tubular sections.

`17 A track for track laying vehicles em bodying a sectional tubular trackway, each section having a shoe, an endless link chain within the trackway, and a combination uni versal cross pin and ball joint for adjacent links and sections.

18. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying an endless chain, track shoes on said chain and independently movable with respect thereto, and driving pins carried by the chain between the shoes and adapted to limit movement thereof.

19. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying an endless universally connected link chain having a continuous lubrieating passage, a sectional tubular trackway surrounding the chain and adapted to form a continuous lubricating passage, spacers forming a ball joint with adjacent sections, and means for sealing said joints.

20. An endless track for track laying vehicles embodying an endless universally connected link chain having a continuous lubricating passage, and a sectional hollow trackway surrounding the chain and adapted to form a continuous lubricating passage.

HARRY A. KNoX.' BERTIE F. BAKER. 

